JAKSON Engineers Limited is making significant strides in bolstering India's domestic solar manufacturing sector. The company plans to operationalize an initial 3 GW of integrated ingot, wafer, and solar cell manufacturing capacity in India by the end of 2028, with potential for further expansion based on market conditions.
This ambitious plan aims to enhance the availability of high-quality, domestically produced solar components, which can benefit homeowners and small businesses looking to install solar systems across India. By focusing on advanced technology and integrated production, JAKSON seeks to contribute to a more robust and self-reliant solar supply chain within the country.
What is JAKSON's Solar Manufacturing Strategy in India?
JAKSON's core strategy for its new manufacturing facilities in India centers on vertical integration. This means the company intends to control the entire production process from ingots and wafers to solar cells, rather than relying solely on external suppliers for these critical components. Ivan Saha, Managing Director of JAKSON Engineers Limited, highlighted that this approach allows for greater control over manufacturing quality at each stage.
Currently, JAKSON has approximately 1.2 GW of solar module manufacturing capacity. The new investment focus is on backward integration into ingot, wafer, and cell production, which is considered a higher-value segment compared to standalone module manufacturing. This move is expected to ensure a consistent supply of high-quality components for its own module production or for sale to the broader market, depending on demand.
What Technology Will JAKSON Use for Solar Cells?
For its planned 3 GW solar cell manufacturing facility, JAKSON intends to adopt advanced TOPCon 3.0 technology. This technology incorporates additional process steps compared to conventional TOPCon cell manufacturing, designed to improve conversion efficiency. JAKSON aims to be among the early adopters of TOPCon 3.0 in India, directly implementing this advanced technology rather than transitioning through older generations.
The company is targeting initial solar cell conversion efficiencies of 25.5% to 25.6%. This focus on high-efficiency technology is crucial for producing solar panels that can generate more electricity from a smaller footprint, offering better value for homeowners and small businesses in India.
Why is Integrated Manufacturing Important for Solar Components?
Integrated manufacturing, where a company controls multiple stages of the production process, offers several advantages. For JAKSON, producing ingots and wafers in-house allows them to precisely control critical silicon wafer characteristics, such as oxygen content, dislocation levels, and resistivity. These parameters significantly influence the performance of downstream solar cells.
By managing these factors internally, JAKSON can optimize the manufacturing process, leading to more consistent and higher-performing solar cells. This control over quality from the foundational stages helps ensure the reliability and efficiency of the final solar products, which is a key consideration for consumers and businesses investing in solar energy systems.
What is the Outlook for India's Solar Manufacturing Industry?
The Indian solar manufacturing industry is expected to undergo substantial consolidation over the next four years. Industry experts anticipate that manufacturers will face increasing pressure to compete on technology, product quality, and production costs. This shift will likely lead to a restructuring of the market, moving the focus from merely announced manufacturing capacity to commercially viable and operational production.
There is currently a notable gap between India's announced solar manufacturing capacity and the actual supply available in the market. While India is estimated to have approximately 17 GW of ALMM-compatible TOPCon cell manufacturing capacity, the average capacity utilization is estimated at around 60%. This suggests an annual production of roughly 10 GW, though not all of this output is available to the open market due to some manufacturers using their cells for captive module production.
JAKSON's strategy of vertical integration and focus on differentiated, high-efficiency technology aims to capitalize on these market dynamics, contributing to a more robust and reliable domestic solar supply chain in India.
